English 421: Technical Writing

The article "Technology Acceptance and ERP Documentation Usability" by Judy E. Scott (attached below) describes a pontential model for the role of usable documentation in the process of technology acceptance (how readily people accept a new technology).  In particular, she suggests the interconnectedness of perceived usability documentation with three other factors: computer self-efficacy, perceived IT ease of use, and perceived usefulness of the doucmentation.  One's ability to use the computer and to harness IT resources may affect how people view the documentation itself.

In particular, the study described in the article suggests that these two factors are themselves connected and then subsequently affect percieved usefulness of the document--how hard is it for the person to find the information they need.  The study also found that--unsurprisingly--perceived usefulness was strongly correlated to perceived usability.  Does the documentation work well for the average user?  While the article does not suggest it, I believe that this research suggests a strong need to tailor documentation to a specific aduience.  Understanding the audiences ability to use computers and its IT support structure will help to increase perceived usefulness and perceived usability.  Thus, creating effective documentation requires considering these factors.

~Andrew